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You could say that an earth centered-nature religion still
permeates herbalism today. We believe that herbalism is part of the RELIGION of NATURE, representing a balance of mind,
body and spirit and relies on an intuition as well as science.
Herbs are "Magickal".
Pagans work with Nature, respecting and worshipping the spiritual
forces they observe. Nature is perceived as the domain of the gods and of spirits. Nature religions teach
a philosophy of divine linking between all of the earth's inhabitants.
Early plant knowledge was passed on verbally. As both the body of knowledge and
populations grew, it became more important to record accurately the accumulated information on herbs for the sake of safe
identification and dosage.
Herb of the Month
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a species of Aloe, native to northern Africa.Which also may be why one of Leopatra's secret beauty ingredients
was reputed as beening aloe vera.
Often called the 'miracle plant' or the 'natural healer', Aloe Vera is a plant of many surprises. It is a member
of the Lily family, around 400 species of Aloe has been rcorded.
It is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant
growing to 80-100 cm tall, spreading by offsets and root sprouts. The leaves are lanceolate, thick and fleshy, green to grey-green,
with a serrated margin. The flowers are produced on a spike up to 90 cm tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular
corolla 2 to 3 cm long.
The Aloe leaf structure is made up of four layers:
Rind - the outer protective layer;
Sap - a layer of bitter fluid which helps protect the plant from animals;
Mucilage Gel - the inner part of the leaf that is filleted out to make Aloe Vera gel.
Aloe Vera (inner gel) contains the 8 essential Amino Acids that the human body needs but cannot manufacture.
Cultivation
Site : Full sun or light shade in frost free locations
Soil : Gritty and well drained
Decorative as a ornamental house plant.
Aloe is a traditional medicine for healing wounds and treating various skin conditions. This makes it useful for burns,
sunburn, rashes, poison Oak, Poison Ivy, diaper rash, ring worm, frostbite, acne, any minor cut or abrasion, and just about
any skin problem you may have or develope.
Aloe is associated with feminine energy, the element of water, the moon, and the astrological sign cancer. It is sacred to Venus/Aphrodite.
It is used as an amulet against accidents and misfortunes, especially around the home. It is also used for love and beauty
and all spells related to lunar energies.
Aloe is good for both protection and healing, magical properties which echo the plant’s appearance and medicinal
qualities. Keep in the home to protect those within it and guard against accidents. Hang over the doorway to drive away negative
influences and bring good luck. Aloe Vera is also helpful for dealing with feelings of loneliness.
Some people are very allergic to aloe, so use with caution.
Aloe juice is often sold in health food stores. Pregnant women and those who are menstruating should never drink this as
it can cause cramping, hemorrhage and miscarriage.
Aloe is a wonderful houseplant but the outside of the leaf is very irritating to delicate inner tissues. Keep it out of
the reach of pets and small children.
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